James Blunt spammed millions of inboxes this morning when he launched a global mailout from his personal email account.

Social networks were swarming with confused recipients, with the majority of tweets being complaints from those not so partial to Blunt's music. Using the subject title, "I'd like you to be the first to hear my new single", the email included details of his song Bonfire Heart, as well as a personalised message: "So ... Just for you ... Here's the first single from my new album...!" The email also explained that the new track, out on 21 October, was "about love, life, fear and hope … and more than anything, you … and me…".

Shortly after sending the email, Blunt apologised on Twitter: "Oops... Just emailed the whole of the UK by mistake! Ha". While the email prompted fans to rejoice in the crooner's return, those who had not signed up to his mailing list debated the alleged mistake, such as the Scottish musician Nina Nesbitt, who took to Twitter to accuse the singer's team of using it as a cunning ploy: "Great marketing from James Blunt's team I must say. Email the whole of the UK!" There have been reports since that the email reached inboxes in Australia and the US.

Warner Music said the email was a "clerical error" and was accidentally sent to some users who are subscribed to mailing lists for other of the label's artists. A mistake or not, James Blunt subsequently trended on social media and Bonfire Heart received more than 30,000 plays.

Was it a marketing tool or a genuine mistake? Or is James Blunt just lonely? Did you click on the link and like what you heard? Have you placed your pre-order on Amazon yet? Let us know in the comments below.